Machine for feeding and positioning containers in a desired pattern arrangement



2,636,592 AND POSITIONING CONTAINERS IN A 'nEsIRED PATTERN ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. E. socKs ING April 28, 1953 MA INE FOR FEED Filed A rii 29, 1948 MN NN IN V EN TOR. J'oll/v 11'. your:

5 A Z EEE 9 mm R N. EN \N A J.- E.' Y NAcRTN RoRREEDINc AND POSITIONING CONTAINERS TN A DESIRED PATTERN ARRANGEMENT 1 Filed April 29,, 1948 April 2 ,1953 A SO KE "2,6 6592 4 sheets sheet 2 7'0 SOURCE OF AIR- INVENTOR. JflI/N 3 Jock:

Filed April 29, 1948.

April 1953 J. 5. 56cm: 2,636,592

MACHINEFOR FEEDING AND POSITIONING CONTAINERS IN A DESIRED PATTERN ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. 'Jbbw ZLSor'ms' HTTORNt'YS Patented Apr. 28, 1953 UNITED STATES rare F lC-E MAQEINEJ FOR FEEDING AND PQSITIQNK'NG CONTAINERS. IN; A DESIRED; PATTERN AR- RANGEMENJZ 9- Claims;

This invention relates. to a machine for feeding and positioning containers or cans and other articles in a predetermined arrangement andhas. particular reference to feeding containers. from different sources or runways for depositing them in rows, onto a conveyor to assemble. them in a desired pattern. arrangement in preparation for sub equent. handling. and treatment. This. is a companion application to my copending United fitates application Serial Number 39,175,. filed June 30,1948, on. Machine for Feeding, Transferring and. Compacting. Articles. into a Unit. Layer,

object of, the, invention is the provision of a machine for feeding containers. or other articles .i lQmone or. more. runways ontov anintermittently operated conveyor, in sucha manner as. to deposit. rows of. containers. on the. conveyor to. form a unit; layer of, contamershaving a. layout. of a. de,- sired. pattern relation.

Another object. is the. provision in, a. machine of the. character described of different supply sources or runways. for. feeding containers fro several directions to deposit rows of containers transversely ontov a conveyor to. stagger the latter rows. of containers and to form the rowsv into. a unit. layer.

Another. object. of the. invention is. the provision in such a machine, of devices for intermitr tently moving the conveyor a. predetermined distance-when the desired number of containersv in a row have been deposited. on theconveyor and for stopping the. operation, of the conveyor when suflicient rows oi containers complete a. unit layer.-v

Humerous other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent. as it is. betterv understood: from the. following description. which, taken in connection with, the. accompanying. drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to. they drawings:

figure. l' is atop plan, view of, amachine eme b'odying the present invention. with. parts broken away;

. is a side elevation ofthe, machine shown Fig. 1, with, parts broken. away. and witlrpartsv ection;

Fig. .3 is. a. transverse sectional. view taken. sub.- stantially along. the broken, line. 3I3. in. Fig. 2;. with parts broken away, and.

Bigi is. a combined. schematic, view of. the mechanical. control. parts. of the. machine and a wiring. diiagramof the. electric control systemnsed" nane-machine.

' As an exemplary embodiment of the present 2. invention the drawings illustrate amachine-in which. cylindrical sheet metal cans A are fed continuously from difi'erent sources or' runways B to deposit a plurality of rows of cans in straight lines transversely of the machine into can (if-- viiclers or elongated loading pockets or troughs C' to arrange the cans in parallel and staggered relation. The; invention is equally well adapted to fibre containers or other articles. The elongated pockets C are carried on a conveyor D which advances the groups or' rows of cans' in"- termittently along apredetermined path of travel until a desired number" of such rows of cans. are assembled" to completea unit layer; The operation of the machine is then stopped until the layer of cans has been removed as a unit from the pockets- This removal of the cans may be eiiected in any suitable, manner.

In the exemplary embodiment shown the cans to be arranged in a layer are. received in processional order moving in straight. lines along, a pair of runways B; located one on each side. of, the machine in. onset, and parallel relation and. at right angles to the path oftravel' of? the conveyor D (Figs. 1. and 3.). The" runways B are open at their inner ends so that, themoving. cans A, may enter the respective can dividers. or pockets C as thelatter are. moved. into registrationwith the runways.

Each of the. runways B include spaced upper an-cLlower. angleirons. ll, 12.. which serve as-si'de and. bottom guide rails. The cansare. in anupright.v positionand; are supported. on continuously moving. chain conveyorsv I3. which are. disposed between the angle irons. I21. The. chains carry the. cans. A into the elongated. can. supports; G of the. machine. from opposite sides. thereof,

The. chain. conveyors. are. operated, continuously andatthe. same speed inany suitable man.- ner. The chains is, operate over sprocketsv Ill which are mounted on shafts i5; There isone of these sprockets. I l and shafts It. on each. side oithe. machine (Figs... 2? ancl13l. The shafts l5 areiiournaled in, oearings Mi secured'to. spaced vertical, angle irons l8 which are. securedto. other. angle. irons,. which taken. collectively form. the main frame oi'themachine.

The conveyor Dwhich carries. the. can pockets or troughs C includes, a. pair of spaced endless chainsv l9'Which pass over pairs of. chain sprockets 2'.i', 22 located atv opposite ends. of the machine ('Figs. 1: and" 2).

ings 25; 261 secured to, horizontally disposed". side angle irons 21 ofthe main frame (Fig. 2')".

Sprockets 21, 22. arev mounted on respective. cross shafts 2 3, 2s journal edinbear a The endless chains 19 of the conveyor D are supported along their upper run or path of travel by spaced horizontal rails 28 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) carried on spaced cross bars 29 secured to the opposite sides of the machine main frame.

Each of the can loading pockets C is rectangular and elongated in shape and is of sufiicient dimensions to hold a full row of cans A. In the instant case, by way of example, the pocket is designed to hold nine cans. are arranged to offset rows of cans transversely of the machine, so that the received cans in adjacent rows are arranged in staggered relation as shown in Fig. l.

The receiving end of each pocket C is open for the reception of the cans from the runways and for this purpose are alternately arranged on the conveyor D. Each pocket C is formed with a bottom wall 3i, retaining parallel side walls 32 and an end wall 33. The side walls 32 at each open end are bent outwardly to provide flanges 34. The end wall 33 of each pocket C is extended outward beyond the side walls 32 and form flanges 35. Flanges 35, 35 of adjacent pockets serve as side guides between the respective pockets 0 to hold back the cans in the runways B against advancement when the pockets C are advanced by the conveyor past the open ends of the runways.

The side walls 32 at the opposite or forward article receiving ends of each pocket C are cut away at 36 adjacent the bottom wall 3i so that pocket loading detector levers 31, 38 may enter the closed ends of each pocket C to engage the leading can in a row of can entering such a pocket as pairs of the pockets C are brought into registration with the'pair of runways B. The levers 37, 38 are plvotally carried on normally open electric switches 39, M disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor D (Fig. 1) and mounted on brackets 52, 43 secured to the main frame. The levers 31, 38 are designed to'actuate the switches 39, 4| through a small angular movement, under a light pressure, while at the same time having a large over-travel which permits a projecting can in an adjacent pocket to pass by. The switches 39, M are connected in series in an electrical circuit with other electric apparatus and will be described hereinafter more fully.

The conveyor.D is operated intermittently by an endless drive chain 44 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which passes over a sprocket 45 secured to the conveyor shaft 24 and over a drive sprocket 46 which is mounted on a drive shaft ll. The shaft 41 is journaled in bearings 48 secured to horizontally disposed side angle irons 49 of the main frame.

Alternate pockets both of its faces. For this purpose compressed air is continuously introduced into the inner end of the cylinder from a main pipe line 6i leading from any suitable source of compressed air, through a pipe fitting 52, a flexible tube 63, a pipe nipple 64, and aninlet opening 65in the cylinder adjacent its inner end. Compressed air under the same pressure also is introduced, periodically, into the outer end of the cylinder by means of a pipe 65 connected to the pipe fitting 62 and to an air valve 61 which also is connected through a pipe nipple 68, a flexible tube 59, a pipe nipple H and an inlet opening 12 in the cylinder adjacent its outer end.

The valve 51 is located above the air cylinder and is secured to. a transverse beam 13 mounted on two of the vertical angle irons I8 of the main frame. Valve 61 is formed with an air channel 14 which communicates with inlet openings in the inner ends of the pipe 65 and the pipe nipple 58. The channel also communicates with a vent opening 15 formed in the valve housing. The channel is normally is closed to the supply of air by a slide valve 16 which extends over and seals off the inlet opening of the pipe 56.

The upper end of the slide valve 76 is formed with a solenoid core which is movable in an electric solenoid 11 which effects the movement of the slide valve. This solenoid is normally deenergized and also is included in the circuit shown in the wiring diagram (Fig. 4). A compression spring 18 housed within the solenoid Tl presses against its core and thus keeps the slide valve 16 in closed position when the solenoid is thus normally held de-energized.

Hence, compressed air continuously admitted int the inner end of the cylinder acts against the inner face of the piston 57 to keep the arm 52 in its normally retracted position (which is to the right as viewed in Fig. 2). In this position an adjustable stop 9!, secured to the arm 52, engages against a normally open switch 32 which is mounted on a bracket 93, secured to the angle iron 49 of the main frame. The engagement of the switch 92 by said stop 9| effects the closing thereof in which condition it is held while the arm 52 is in its retracted position. The switch 92 is connected in the electrical circuit (Fig. 4) and will be described fully hereinafter.

Compressed air is admitted to the outer end of i the cylinder 55 to start the operation of the air The shaft 41 is operated intermittently by a ratchet wheel 5| mounted on this shaft. The ratchet wheel is rotated by an arm 52 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 41. The outer end of the arm carries a pawl 53 which engages with one of four teeth 54 of the ratchet wheel 5| (Fig. 2).

" The arm 52 is shifted or rocked through an outward or can pocket advancing stroke (to the left in Fig. 2) and thence through an inward, or

return stroke by' an air actuated cylinder 55 cylinder and to shift the arm 52 through an advancing stroke. This is effected by energizing the valve solenoid H which moves the slide valve 16 to an open position in the housing channel 74 and also closes the vent opening '15 by moving a cut off member 8| into sealing position against the opening. The member M is formed on the slide valve 16 and moves with it. This movement of the slide valve permits air to flow from the pipe 66 through the valve housing, the pipe nipple 58, the flexible connector 69, the pipe nipple H and the inlet opening 12 into the outer end of the cylinder 55.

, The air thus admitted, acts against the outer face of the piston. Th area of this outer face is greater than that of its inner face by the amount equal to the cross sectional area of the piston rod. Therefore, the force acting against the outer face is greater than that against the inner face and thus the piston is moved outwardly from cylinder 55, or toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2. This movement of the piston shifts the arm 52 through a forward advancing stroke. During this outward movement of the piston 51,

escalate c.er1:ied our the moving: amlit and" nga ing against a tooth. Moi there-tenet wheel (Fig. 2) actuates. the latter through. 90. degrees ofiits rotation, thereby effectingthe operation of the drive chain- 14 advancing the conveyorD a distance equal to two can pocketsnortroughs C; Th two filled pockets in registration with the runways-B thus. are advanced tothe. left as viewed in Fig. I and. the next two adjacent pockets, are. moved: into. registration, with v the; runways. B; for the loading of another two-=- rows of cans therein.

The; rows of cans A within theloaded pockets 2: are; retained therein during the advancement of" the. conveyor D tFig; 1):- byside guides 94': disposed at theends oi the pockets and extending longitudinally of the machine. These: uidesare formed of angle iron and ar secured in any suit.- able manner to the main frame. During the shifting of the arm 52; asthrcugh a pocket advancing stroke and again through aretracting stroke, the outer end of the piston rod 58- traverses an arcuate path thus causing the air cylinder 55 to swing upwardly on its pivotal connection: for each stroke and engage, against anormally open electric 95. The switch. is mounted above the cylinder- 55 (*Fig: 2) on a bracket 85 secured to one of the vertical angle irons: I8 of the main frame. Switch 9-5 is connected in the electrical circuitv (Fig. 4-) and will be describedfully hereinafter.

As the piston rod- 5% reaches the end of the pocket advancingstroke an adjustable stop 91 similar to stop 9% and also secured to the arm 52', engages against anormally closed electric switch 98 which is mounted ona bracket 99 secured to the angle iron 09 cf'th-emain frame '(Fig; 2.). The engagement of this switch breaks an electric circuit to the solenoid 11 hereinbefore de scribed and de-energizes the solenoid. The spring 18 of the air valve 6'! immediatelyshifts the slide valve- 1 6 into closed position; and thus cuts off the flow of air into the outer end of the cylinder 55. This action also opens the vent opening 1-5 and thus releases the air in this, end of the cylinder to the atmosphere.

Hence, the air constantly forced into the inner end of the cylinder 55 through tube 63, returns piston 51 and the arm 52 to their; original retracted position (see Fig. 2'). Upon reaching this latter position the stop 8 I" again engages the switch 92 and closes it as previously described in readiness for the next pocket advancing strokes During the retracting stroke, of the piston rod. as in the advancing; stroke previously described, the air cylinder swings up and engages the switch 95 andxc osesit momentarily. The. lu ing of thi switch. however is. effective in one direction only and that is. on the. retracting 01:

return stroke- During this. return stroke. of' the.

piston. rod a. circuit is. established through a relay ml to energize a. solenoid m2 of atimine device. I113 for repeating successive pocket. ad vancing, strokes. until iour such. strokes have been made. This constitutes a. cycleoi ouerat n- During thi cycle of operation, eight rows of cans in. pockets C have. been. assembled on the conveyor to form. a unit. layer of, ans.

The timing device "13., including the. relay Inlis. mounted on the side. of, .themachine (Fig. 22-. The solenoid Hi2 carrie and aotuates a movable core I04 which is connected at its outer end to an arm of a bell crank 1.05. (see g-. a), loosely mounted on a shaft. 16 carriedin: bearing brackets I0 sec ed. to a. panel 18 or thcmain name The crank ma carries a oawl I09 which engages teeth. HiloiEa rat hot; wheel immunized on the. shaft; L06. Thisratchetwhecl 1ik...:ra.thtwheel 5! alsohas four teeth. l

The timing device I63; also includes a. pair of? cams.- H3, [M which are, secured to. the. shafit'tflfi and which actuate switches H5, H6. connected in. the; electrical circuits. (Fig. 4). These latter switches; together with. the relay i011 and the. solenoid. 1.02 will. be. described fully hereinatter;

Hence=,. when the solenoid N32 is energiaeddur ing; the; return. stroke of the: iston. iollowing its; initial pocket advancing stroke, it rocks the-crank we. and the. pawl we carried thereon, turns: the ratchet; wheel H2 through a: partial rotation; of, 9c degrees.v This movement of the ratchet;v whack. effects. a. corresponding partial rotation of cams H3, H4. In this manner the cams are rotated intermittently at the rate. of one. revolution for every four par ial rotations oi the-ratchet wheels 51,. H2, The timing switches M5,, :6. are. thus actuated by said cams; during;

complete layer or cans in. any convenient: place! of deposit; The machine thereafter is. restarted manually and the cycle of operation repeated. for arranging a subsequent, layer 011181318135. ofv cans. A.

Reference should now be had to: the. wiring; diagram in Fig. i which schematically showseleo trio equipment for controlling and operating the.

. various solenoids and switches hereinbefore men! tioned... The cycle of operaticnof the. machine is started by momentarily closing a manually opserated and normally open starting switch. [til for energizing an electrical. startingcircuit F which includes the starting switch. the two switches 39, H which are, closed by the incoming; cans and the solenoid H. This circuit. is cfiecs tive for starting the actuation of the piston 51. in the air cylinder 55 on. an initial. pocket ads vancing. stroke. The, switch. H8 is mounted, in,-

a convenient location; on the. bracket. &2; on; top

of the machine (Fig. 1). L

The circuit F- as well as allthe, other circuits to be. hereinafter described. receive electric curs rent from a, generator circuit which includes a, generator I19 having a. main lead wire. l2! and a. return lead wire. I22; In. the. circuit F one side of. the switch H8 is connected by a wire I23, to the generatorlead wire iii. The opposite sideof the switch H8 is connected by a wire [26 to a. contact I21 oi the switch H5 of the timing device I03. Fig. 4 of the drawings illustrate the cams H3, N4 of the timing device.- in a. starting position at which time movable elements of switches H5. [it are located in indents. formed in the, cams which permit closing of, the switches. for starting the machine.

The. switch H5. while in this closedposition also engages a contact 1281 which is connected by a wire l3! to a wire I32 leading to and, cons nested, with a contact 533. oi'the switch cl. Another contact 34. of the switch 4.! is connected by a wire I35 to a contact {36 of the switch 39. Switches 4l-, 39 are closed momentarily by the. loading can A ineach filled pocket 0 (Fig. 1;) engaging against the switch actuating levers 3'7, 33: as previously described. which is necessary for starting the machine.

The switch 39 while in. its clo ed; position. also cngagesa contact 1-3.? which is; conuccteclby a wire I 38"to'a. contact I39 of the switch92.' This switch 92 also is in a closed position momentarily where it is held by the arm 52 while it is in its retracted position as previously described, as an incident to starting the piston on its initial pocket advancing stroke.

Switch 92 while in its closed position also e gages a contact I iI which is connected by a wire I42 to one side of the air valve solenoid 11. Solenoid 11 also is connected by a wire I43 to the return lead wire I22. This completes the electric circuit F.

Hence, when the switch H8 is closed, electric current from the main lead wire I2! passes along this circuit and energizes the solenoid 11. Energizing of the solenoid 11 operates the airvalve 61 as previously described, admitting compressed air into the outer end of the air cylinder 55 for effecting the actuation of the piston 51 on an initial pocket advancing stroke. Since the closing of the switch H6 is of momentary duration a hold circuit G is provided which immediately cuts out the switch H8 and holds the solenoid 11 energized until the air piston 51 actually starts moving.

The holding circuit G includes a relay I45 having a solenoid :46 one side of which is connected by a Wire I41 to the wire I25 of the circuit F. The other side of the solenoid M6 is connected by a wire I49 to the return lead wire I22. Relay I45 is secured to the panel I08 on the side of the machine adjacent the relay iUI. Electric current passing along the wire I25 of the circuit F at the time the switch H9 is closed also passes through the relay circuit G along the wire I41, through the solenoid I46 energizing it and thence returning by way of the wire I 59 to the return lead wire I22.

Energizing of the relay solenoid I46 actuates a movable relay switch I54 which closes against switch contacts I55, I56. Contact I55 is connected by a wire I50 to the wire I41. The other contact I56 is connected by a wire I51 to a contact 158 of the closed switch H6. Another contact I59 of the switch H6 is connected by a wire IGI to the main lead wire I2I.

Hence when the switch H6 is opened electric current from the generator lead wire I2I flows along wire I6I, through the closed switch IIB, along wire I51, closed switch ld, wires 159, I41,

I26, closed switch I I5, wires 13 I, I32, closed switch 4|, wire I35, closed switch 39, wire I38, closed switch 92, wire I42, and solenoid 11, returning by way of the wire I43 to the generator lead wire I22.

As soon as the piston 51 starts moving, the filled can pockets of the conveyor move away from the switches 39, 4i and the ratchet arm 52 moves away from the switch 92. Thus these switches 39, 41, 92 immediately open. However provision is made through an auxiliary holding circuit H, which cuts out these switches, so as to hold the solenoid 11 energized so that the piston 51 may continue its advancement uninterruptedly.

The auxiliary holding circuit H includes the relay IOI which is provided with a solenoid I5I one side of which is connected by a wire I52 to the wire I42 of the circuit F. The other side of the solenoid I5I is connected by a wire I53 to the return lead wire I 22. Electric current passing along the wire 542 of the circuit F at the time the starting switch N18 is closed also passes along this holding circuit along the wire I52, through the solenoid I5I, and thence returns by way of the wire I53'to the generatorreturnwirc I22. This current energizes the solenoid I5I.

.Energizing'of the. relay solenoid I5I immediately closes a switch I52 against a pair ofcontacts I54, I65. Contact I64 is connected by a wire I68 tothe wire I42 of the operating circuit The other contact I is connected by a wire I69 to .a contact I10 of the closed switch 98. Another contact I1I of the switch 98 is connected bya wire I12'to the wire I32 of the circuit F. Hence electric current from the generator lead wire I2-I thus passes along the wire I6I, through the closed switch I I6, along the wire I51, through the closed relay switch I54, along the wires I50, M1 and I26, through the closed switch I I5, along the wires I3 I, I32, I12, through the closed switch 99, along the wire I69, through the closed switch 162, along the wires I68 and I42 to the solenoid 11 and thenceby way of the wire I43 to the return lead wire I22; Thus the-solenoid is maintained energized while the piston 51 is traveling forward and while the switches 39, M and 92 are open p As the piston 51 reaches the end of its initial pocket advancing stroke, the stop 91 engages against the normally closed switch 98 and opens it.- This deenergizes the solenoids 11, I46, I5I and opens the switches I54, I62 and-thus breaks the operating circuit F, the holding circuit G, and the auxiliary holding circuit-H. The advancement of the conveyor I9 is thus stopped momentarily while the piston 51 moves back through a return stroke to its retracted position. The two filled pockets Con the conveyor (Fig. 1) have thus been advanced along their path of travel and the next two pockets C moved into position for filling with rows of cans as previously described. 1

De-energizing the air valve solenoid 11 allows the spring 18 in the valve to return the slide valve to its closed position shutting off the supply of'air to the outer end of the air cylinder and venting it as previously described, thus permitting the supply of air continuously admitted to the inner end to effect the return stroke of the piston.

. De-energizing of the solenoid I5I of the auxiliary holding circuit H prepares for establishment a timing circuit K which includes the timing switch and-a switch I13 which is formed as a part of the switch I62 and which closes against a pair of contacts I66, I61 when-the switch I62 opens. In this timing circuit K a wire I14 connects the main lead wire I2I with a contact I15 of the normally open switch 95. Another contact I16 of the switch 95 is connected by a wire I11 to one side of the timing solenoid I02. The opposite side of this solenoid is connected by a wire I18 to the contact I66 of the switch I13. The opposite contact I51 of this switch is connected bya wire I19 to the return lead wire I22.

The circuitK is established momentarily during the return stroke .of the piston 51 as the air cylinder 55 swings up and closes the switch 95 as hereinbeioredescribed. When the switches95 and I13 are closed electric current from the main lead wire I2I passes along the wire I14, through the switch 95, along the wire I11, through the solenoid I02, along the wire I18, through the switch element I13 and thence by way of the wire I19 to the return lead wire I22. This energizes the solenoid I02.

Energizing of the solenoid I02 actuates the timing device I03 as hereinbefore described iricluding the partial rotation of the cams H3, H4 toefiect opening of the switches H5 and H6 accuses 9 from their closed positions with the respective contacts I21, I28 and I58, I59. Switch H is a two-way switch and upon moving away from its contacts I21, I28 as .just described, it immediately engages a second pair of contacts ISI, E82 which are utilized in re-establishing a modified operating circuit F to re-energize the valve solenoid ll to cheat a repeat operation of the conveyor I9. In this modified circuit the contacts IBI, I82 of this switch H5 connects the wire I32 of the circuit F with a wire I83 which is connected with the main lead wire I2 I. Actuation of the timing device I 03 as just described thus breaks the holding circuit G and by-passes the relay I which thereafter lays idle for the next three successive strokes while completing the cycle of operation.

Hence, upon the return of the piston 5'! ior the next pocket advancing stroke, it recloses the switch 92 and with this switch closed and the switches ll, 39 closed by the leading cans .in the rows of cans fed into the pockets C, the modified circuit F is established without the aid of the starting switch I58. In this modified operating circuit electric current from the main lead wire I2I passes along the wire I83, through the switch H5 closed against its contacts I85, I82, along the wire I32, through the closed switch M, along the Wire I35, through the closed switch 39, along the wire I38, through the closed switch 92, along the wire I 42,, through the solenoid TI and returning by way of the wire I43 to the return lead wire I22. This re-energizes the solenoid 'I-l.

Electric current flowing along the wire I42 simultaneously re-establishes the auxiliary holding circuit H hereinbefore described by also passing from the wire I42 along the wire I52, through the solenoid I5I returning by way of the wire I53 to the return lead wire I 22. This energizes the solenoid ItlI and closes the switch Hi2 against 1 its contacts I34, I55 and opens the switch I73 thus breaking the circuit K. As the piston 5'5? starts moving on its forward stroke and the switches H, 39 and 92 open, the solenoid "I? will be kept energized by the auxiliary holding circuit B so that the piston will continue its movement.

Electric current from the lead Wire IZI passing along the wire I83, through the switch H5 and along the wire I32, will then pass along the wire I'IZ, through the closed switch t8, along the wire I 69, through the closed switch I 62, along the wires IE8 and I 32, through the solenoid 'I'I for maintaining it energized and returning by way of the wire M3 to the return lead wire I22. 7 When the piston 51 reaches the end of its second pocket advancing stroke, thestop 91 again engages against the switch 93 to openit. This breaks the holding circuit and ole-energizes the solenoids ll and Ifil. The switch lfiZ thereupon opens and the switch H3 closes against. its contacts I56, I87 and rte-establishes the timing circuit K so that the solenoid I32 may again be actuated by the reclosing of the timing switch 95 on the piston retracting stroke as hereinbefore described.

The operations of the electrical apparatus in the circuits just described function in the same manner for the third and fourth pocket advancing strokes and also for the return of the piston following these strokes. During the return of the piston 5'1 following its fourth and final pocket advancing stroke for completing the cycle of op eration, the timing device IIlt is actuated once again by energizingthe timing circuit K as pre- 1o viously described to restore the switches I I5; and IIG to their initial starting condition.

Hence, as the cams H3, IId come to rest on the last quarter of their rotation the movable elements of the switches H5, H6 return into the indents formed .in these cams. The switches I I5, I16 thereupon engage their respective contacts I21, I28 and I58, I59 thus preparing the starting circuit F through the wires I26, I3I and the holding circuit G through the wires Iill, It! so that upon removal of the assembled tier or layer of cans, a new cycle of operation may be repeated by closing of the manually operated switch H8 for the starting of thev machine as previously described.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for feeding articles such as containers or the like and for grouping them in a layer unit of a desired pattern, the combination of a container runway for guiding a continuous supply of containers into the machine, an intermittently operable conveyor adjacent said runway for receiving successive single rows of containers therefrom, normallyinactive means for moving said conveyor, electric control means energized by the leading container in a row of containers received on said conveyor for intermittently actuating said conveyor moving means for periodically advancing said conveyor and ac tuated by said conveyor moving means in a stepby-step manner past said runway to form a layer of containers on said conveyor, and timing means operable during the intermittent advancement of the conveyor and actuated by said conveyor moving means for stopping the operation of said conveyor when a desired number of rows of containers are received on said conveyor to form a said layer unit thereon.

2. 'In a machine for feeding articles such as containers or the like and for grouping them in a layer formation, the combination of a pair of container runways for guiding the containers from opposite directions along straight line paths of travel into the machine, an intermittently operable conveyor disposed adjacent said runways, elongated pockets carried on said conveyor for receiving rows of containers from said runways, means for intermittently moving said conveyor to progressively advance successively received rows of containers in said pockets to form said layer of containers on said conveyor, means actuated by a container in said conveyor pocket for initiating an advancement of said conveyor by its said moving means, when rows of containers fed from said runways fill two adjacent conveyor pockets, and means actuated by said conveyor moving means for stopping further intermittent advancement of the conveyor following the formation of a said layer thereon.

3. In a machine for feeding articles such as containers or the like and for grouping them in a layer having a staggered arrangement, the combination of a pair of container runways for guid ing containers from opposite directions along straight line paths of travel into the machine, a conveyor intermittently operable adjacent and transversely of said runways, a plurality of elongated pockets carried on said conveyor, adjacent pockets respectively receiving rows of containers simultaneously and in opposite directions from said runways, normally inactive fluid pressure means for imparting intermittent motion to said conveyor, container energized electric control means adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor at the leading ends of two adjacent pockets for actuating said fluid pressure means after said pockets are in registration with said runways and are each filled with rows of containers, said fluid pressure means intermittently advancing said conveyor a predetermined distance for bringing successive pockets into alignment with said electric control means to receive rows of containers into said successive pockets to form a layer of containers, and time delay means actuated by said fluid pressure means for stopping further advancement of said conveyor after the formation of a said layer of containers thereon.

4. A machine for feeding articles in parallel rows, the combination of a conveyor having fluid pressure means for intermittently moving the same along a path of travel, spaced parallel elongated pockets carried by said conveyor for receiving and holding rows of articles transversely of the conveyors path, runways located on opposite sides of said conveyor, one runway terminating adjacent to and in alignment with a conveyor pocket when the conveyor is at rest and a runway on the opposite side of said conveyor terminating adjacent to and in alignment with the adjacent conveyor pocket, means for moving articles along said runways when so aligned to pass rows of articles into said pockets from opposite sides of said conveyor, and means operable by said conveyor moving means for preventing fur ther advancement of the conveyor after a predetermined number of rows of articles has been received in and advanced by said conveyor pockets.

5. Apparatus for arranging articles in predetermined pattern formation for subsequent transfer as a unit layer, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of pairs of transverse troughs thereon and having normally stationary means for intermittently moving the conveyor, means on opposite sides of said conveyor for feeding articles in single line processions respectively into the troughs of each pair and in opposite directions when the conveyor is at rest, detector means on opposite sides of the conveyor engageable with the leading article in each of said troughs of a pair for actuating said moving means when the troughs of a pair are filled with adjacent rows of articles to advance said conveyor one step to progress the rows of articles thereon and to align a succeeding pair of troughs with said article feeding means, and control means actuated by said conveyor moving means to obtain a predetermined number of actuations of the latter to intermittently advance the conveyor and the successive article filled pairs of troughs thereon a plurality of steps, said control means being thereafter operable to render said conveyor moving means inoperable to further advance the conveyor when the successive rows of articles contained within and advanced by the pairs of conveyor troughs have assumed said predetermined pattern formation.

6. Apparatus for arranging articles in predetermined pattern formation on a movable conveyor for subsequent transfer as a unit layer therefrom, comprising a conveyor having a plurality of pairs of transverse troughs thereon and having normally stationary fiuidpressure actu+ ated means for intermmittently moving the conveyor, a pair of runways on opposite sides of said conveyor for feeding articles in single line processions respectively into the troughs of each pair and in opposite directions when the conveyor is at rest, means including a pair of detector switches and an electrically controlled valve connected in an electric circuit, said switches being engageable with the leading article in each of said troughs of a pair for actuating said valve to operate said fluid pressure means when the troughs of a pair are filled with adjacent rows of articles to advance said conveyor one step to progress the rowsof articles thereon and to align a succeeding pair of troughs with said article feeding means, and electric control means including a holding circuit actuated by said fluid pressure means to obtain a predetermined number of actuations of the latter to intermittently advance the conveyor and the successive article filled pairs of troughs thereon a plurality of steps, said control means being thereafter again actuated by said fluid pressure means to render the latter inoperable to further advance the conveyor when the successive rows of articles con tained within and advanced by the pairs of conveyor troughs have assumed said predetermined pattern formation.

7. In a machine for feeding articles such as containers or the like and for grouping them ina layer unit of a desired pattern, the combination of a plurality of container runways for guiding containers continuously from opposite directions into the machine, an intermittently movable c0n-, veyor disposed between said runways, a plurality of transverse troughs carried on said conveyor, adjoining ones of said troughs when aligned with said runways respectively receiving single rows of containers therefrom, means for intermittently moving said conveyor, electric switch means re-, spectively carried by the machine frame on opposite sides of said conveyor adjacent the forward article receiving ends of said aligned con-. veyor troughs, said switch means being engageable and actuated by the leading containers in said adjacent rows thereof after their reception by said conveyor troughs for actuating said container moving means to move said conveyor intermittently to advance successive rows of containers received in said troughs, and means actuated by said conveyor moving means for stopping the intermittent movement of said conveyor after a predetermined number of rows of containers are received thereby to form a said layer unit.

8. In a machine for feeding articles in parallel rows, the combination of a conveyor having means for intermittently advancing the same along a straight path of travel, spaced parallel elongated pockets carried by said conveyor for receiving and holding rows of articles disposed transversely of the conveyors path, a pair of runways located on opposite sides of said conveyor, a runway on one side of the conveyor terminating adjacent and in alignment with a said conveyor pocket and the runway on the opposite side of said conveyor terminating adjacent and in alignment with a succeeding conveyor pocket when the conveyor is at rest, auxiliary conveyor means for moving said articles along said runways when so aligned to pass adjacent rows of articles into and along the full length of the conveyor pockets from opposite sides of said conveyor, and detector' means carried by the machine frame and respectively disposed adjacent the forward article receiving ends of adjoining conveyor pockets in alignment with the runways on opposite conveyor sides, said detector means being operatively con" nected to said conveyor advancing means to ad- Vance said conveyor one step after said adjoining pockets are filled with articles.

9. In a machine for feeding articles in parallel rows, the combination of a conveyor having means for intermittently advancing the same along a straight path of travel, spaced elongated pockets carried by said conveyor for receiving and holding adjacent rows of articles disposed transversely of the conveyors path, runways located on opposite sides of said conveyor, said runways terminating adjacent and in alignment with adjoining conveyor pockets when the conveyor is at rest, means for moving articles along said runways when so aligned to pass rows of articles into adjacent conveyor pockets fromopposite sides of said conveyor, electrical detector means carried by the machine frame and respectively disposed in alignment with said runways adjacent the forward article receiving ends of adjoining conveyor pockets on opposite sides of said conveyor, said detector means being respectively engaged and energized by the leading articles of adjacent rows thereof when received in said adjoining conveyor pockets for actuating said conveyor advancing means to institute a convey or movement only when both of said adjoining conveyor pockets are filled with the rows of articles, and means actuated by said conveyor advancing means for stopping further advance of the conveyor after a predetermined number of article rows are received thereon.

JOHN E. SOCKE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,142,025 Christoe June 8, 1915 1,243,408 Hawthorne Oct. 16, 1917 1,492,864 Straight May 6, 1924 1,549,963 Byerlein Aug. 18, 1925 1,764,153 Cramer June 17, 1930 1,978,780 Beon Oct. 30, 1934 1,990,745 Moore et a1 Feb. 12, 1935 2,217,982 Heil Oct. 15, 1940 2,244,803 Rhode June 10, 1941 

